The Nevis female cricket team, won the Leeward Islands 50 overs competition when they defeated Antigua and Barbuda at the ET Willet Park on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first on winning the toss, Nevis was off to an impressive start, until Davonique Maynard was forced to retire hurt, with a busted finger.
However, Melecia Clarke was joined by Arsheena Freeman and the pair put on an outstanding partnership of 129 runs, before they were parted.
Clarke followed up her innings of 79 versus St. Kitts, with an even 80, before she was sent, leg before wicket.
Freeman followed soon after and the visitors pounced on the opportunity to get back into the game.
Except for Martha Dookhan, who was not out at the end, the other batters, practically ‘came and went.’
Nevis got to a below par, 206 all out.
The visitors were in early trouble in their response, at 9 for 3.
Then at 94 for 9, the proverbial fat lady was tuning up her voice, at the boundary’s edge.
But Wait!
Enter the last batter Danesia Wilson and she stayed with Parker for an extended period, getting the score to 169 and giving her team the possibility of a win.
She was eventually trapped in front of Melecia Clarke, to break a stubborn partnership of 75 runs
What looked like an easy victory for the home team, soon turned into a nightmare, as they just could not get the final wicket.
The visitors soon started harbouring hopes of a ‘come from behind win.’
Wilson was trapped lbw to Melecia Clarke and the Nevis team celebrated.
Interestingly, no fewer than seven of the batters were sent leg before wicket, but Parker conceded that they just kept playing across the line.
Summarized scores: Nevis 206 all out in 48.4 overs: Melecia Clarke 80, Arsheena Freeman 37; Davonique Maynard 18, Martha Dookhan 17* 40 extras Jenisen Richards 4 for 38; Kimberly Anthony 3 for 28
Antigua and Barbuda 169 all out: Terez Parker 80*, Danesia Wilson 14 50 extras
Rozel Liburd 5 for 39; Martha Dookhan 2 for 30; Melecia Clarke 2 for 38
Nevis females won by 37 runs